If you’re maintaining your own equipment, spend a little time in reviewing the condition and operation of your mast. Additionally it should be part of your operator’s daily inspection.

Although when present, it’s generally obvious, look for any flaking of bearing material, and/or mast rail. Bearings should not be digging into the rail.

Generally the inner mast rails are not lubricated so as not to attract and accumulate debris, however in extreme conditions lubrication can be applied to the rails with a dry molly. In severe conditions white grease has been used. Prior to doing that ask for directions from us, we’d have some documentation for you, and we’d like to try to better understand why you’re seeing flaking.

• Look out for loose rollers where there has been inner race failure, or missing bearings.
• Check for rollers hanging up [where the roller does not roll freely while mast is in use]
• If your staff is capable, use a large pry bar to remove the load from mast rollers, this will allow you to spin the rollers.
• Watch for sheaves that are broken, or sheave bearing failure
• Insure that hoses for mast are not becoming entangled in mast operation, watch for wear points on hoses.

If you’re not entirely comfortable about the maintenance your equipment is getting, contact us please. We’ll discuss an inspection of your equipment that may help you define the level of care it’s currently receiving, and where if needed improvements can be made.